Devin has a BA. in Modern Language: French (Truman State University, 2022) and is pursuing a second MA in African Studies; learning the languages of Akan-Twi (Ghana) and Wolof (Senegal) with the intended acquisition of Yoruba (Nigeria and Benin) and Fon (Benin). Having worked heavily with Congolese populations of rural Northeast Missouri, Devin has obtained a particular interest in African francophone Heritage Language Learning communities and intends to study further applied linguistics and pedagogical strategies for more inclusive approaches to language teaching to support the development of linguistics identity within student populations of these Heritage Language Communities. Furthermore, an interest in Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy serves to drive Devin’s research interests such as the use and development of authentic materials and pedagogical materials for the teaching of less commonly taught languages, teaching methodologies for the effective acquisition of West African languages, African language use in academic contexts of multilingual West African societies, and more. Furthermore, Devin has an interest in researching films in French/Wolof by famed Senegalese director, Ousmane, Sembène to better understand sociolinguistic phenomena in language use in past and present Senegal.
Pronouns: He/Him/His; They/Them/Theirs
The College of Arts